As one of the largest organs in the body, skin requires good care to look its best at all stages of life.
Cosmetics have been hailed as secret weapons for youthfulness, but what you feed your body is more important.
Hibiscus, a plant with a long history of medicinal and cosmetic uses, is one of several ingredients being investigated for its anti-ageing effects.
The flower's high vitamin C levels have been shown to boost collagen production by interacting with amino acids within the cells.
Hibiscus tea may boost collagen production
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Content creator @thefertileglow, who has built a large following sharing her herbal knowledge online, describes the flower as the "fountain of youth".
“If you want the fountain of youth look no further than hibiscus,” she said in a recent clip.
“This flower has shown the ability to maintain collagen production. Hibiscus reduces free radical effects by 92 per cent. Free radicals cause damage to your cells, which then contribute to a range of health problems and premature skin ageing."
The findings were presented in a 2011 paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Drugs and Chemical Toxicology.
The report confirmed that the plant has an impressive ability to scavenge free radicals, which is sometimes described as the human body's version of rust.
“It won’t make you live forever but hibiscus can help you stay youthful," added @thefertileglow. “You can use it as a tea, capsule, or tincture.”
The anti-ageing benefits of hibiscus were also investigated in one 2022 study published in the medical journal Molecules.
Researchers discovered that the plant promotes youthfulness by promoting the secretion of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the body. It also was shown to fight inflammation.
Furthermore, they determined that the anti-ageing properties of the plant were not down to only one but several of its components.
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The drink could boost the secretion of hyaluronic acid
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These properties also act as diuretic agents, helping remove excess water under the skin.
Mila Magnani, a healthcare enthusiast who has explored many holistic avenues to treat her hypothyroidism and PCOS, credits hibiscus tea for de-puffing her face.
"This drink has helped de-puff my face, and de-puff my body," Mila explained on social media.
"Any time I have any water retention or inflammation this helps me so much."
